Dozens of Finnish Immigration Service officials have participated in the operation at the airport and in support services. In addition to the Finnish Immigration Service, the Border Guard, the Police, Customs, the Department of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Social Emergency and Crisis Center of the City of Vantaa are participating in the operation. The Finnish Red Cross has been present to help with arrangements and distribute food, hygiene packages and blankets and soft toys to children.
“Despite the difficult situation of people coming here, the atmosphere at the airport has been calm. We try to make the arrival situation as urgent as possible. Interpreters have a particularly important role to play in providing information to people in their own language.” says Pekka Nuutinen, Head of the Reception Unit of the Finnish Immigration Service.
The age group of those evacuated from Afghanistan is wide, and there are several families among the evacuees. There are also children among the evacuees, and the youngest are babies.
The situation center has been working on evacuation-related tasks almost around the clock.
“The situation center is experienced in reacting quickly and coordinating reception activities in situations where people arrive from difficult conditions in crisis areas,” says Nuutinen.
The situation center was established in autumn 2015, when a large number of asylum seekers arrived in Finland within a short time. At present, its tasks include preparedness operations, reception arrangements for the accommodation of asylum seekers, drafting instructions to reception centers on current issues and receiving up-to-date status reports from the authorities.
Evacuees will move from reception centers to municipalities as soon as possible
Those evacuated from Afghanistan by a decision of the Finnish government have initially been placed in reception centers around the country pending the issue of a residence permit. Unaccompanied minors are also among the evacuees. They are housed in units specifically for children and young people.
“The work of the reception centers has got off to a good start. They solve practical problems because the arrivals have had little personal belongings or luggage,” Nuutinen says.
At reception centers, the situation of each evacuee and the need for assistance are assessed individually. In addition, reception centers provide, for example, much-needed social and health services.
Initially, those who entered the country were tested for the COVID-19 virus. Due to the coronavirus situation, entry enters a 10-day quarantine period, which can be shortened by COVID-19 testing.
The Finnish Immigration Service is responsible for the residence permit processes of Afghans evacuated to Finland by decision of the Government. Once the residence permit has been issued, the evacuees move to the municipalities. The aim is to keep the time spent at the reception center as short as possible. The business, transport and environmental centers agree with the municipalities on the municipal places to be offered to the evacuees.
About 80 asylum applications submitted by evacuees from Afghanistan
Upon arrival in Finland, those who traveled on evacuation flights from Afghanistan have submitted about 80 asylum applications. Most of them are family members of persons who have received consular assistance.
Overall, the number of asylum seekers arriving in Finland is still small.
Confirmed statistics will be published in mid-September.
Source: Finnish Immigration Service
Source: The Nordic Page